| Index | Dover | Delaware | National |
| Cost of living | 101 | 107 | 100 |
| Groceries | 98 | 99 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 105 | 123 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 99 | 100 |
| Utilities | 102 | 102 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 102 | 100 |
| Household Items | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 96 | 99 | 100 |
Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Dover? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Dover stands at 101, making it 1% higher than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
The cost of living in Dover closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, houshold expenses, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Dover can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 6 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Dover. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 67% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 33% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Dover an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Dover is 1.9% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 12.5% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Dover has a median household income of $73,408, which is 9.7% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Dover, the healthcare costs are 2.3% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Dover, the standard sales tax rate starts at 0%, and the income tax rates commence at 2.2%.
The Dover cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $106,651 | $8,888 | $2,488 | $3,200 |
| Renters | $49,206 | $4,101 | $1,148 | $1,476 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Delaware | 0% | 0% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Delaware | 2.2% | 6.6% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hartly, DE | 170 | 82 | 18.3% |
| Henderson, MD | 162 | 88 | 12.4% |
| Little Creek, DE | 297 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Leipsic, DE | 147 | 94 | 6.0% |
| Rodney Village, DE | 1,200 | 94 | 6.0% |
| Dover, DE | 38,633 | 101 | 1.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Rock Island, IL | 38,640 | 89 | 10.9% |
| Rosenberg, TX | 38,648 | 101 | 1.2% |
| La Presa, CA | 38,679 | 144 | 43.5% |
| Monrovia, CA | 38,586 | 176 | 75.9% |
| Egypt Lake-Leto, FL | 38,732 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Dover, DE | 38,633 | 101 | 1.0% |
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